Comparing the Role of Women in Sense and Sensibility and Othello

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Introduction

Role of Women in Sense and Sensibility and Othello It is very interesting how different time periods can produce similar behaviors in women just like in Othello by William Shakespeare which was written in 1603 and Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen in 1811. Despite the different time periods, the two texts have a connection with each other. Though set in different time periods, Sense and Sensibility and Othello placed the characters of the women in each text in roles that required them to act a certain way due to society's norms and be dependent on men. The women in these two texts have portrayed such traits by acting depending on their class, and the way they are treated by men in their lives. Subsequently, the actions of the women characters shape the plot in both the texts. To begin with, the way the women act around other people mostly depends on the society`s norms and act according to their class. Elinor of Sense and Sensibility accomplished much she stayed within her social status, married a rich guy with whom she is in love. "He is very far from being independent. What his mother ... really is we cannot know; but, from Fanny's occasional mention of her conduct and opinions, we have never been disposed to think her amiable; and I am very much mistaken if Edward is not himself aware that there would be many difficulties in his way, if he were to wish to marry a woman who had not either a great fortune or high rank." (Austen.6). Elinor realizes that her marriage with Edward can ruin because of his rude family, which considers social status as more important than Edward's happiness. Since Elinor's not of a high rank and her status is lower than Edward's, it is understandable that his family will vehemently disagree to their wedding. Finally, when Elinor finds out she's getting married to Edward, she cannot hold in her emotions. ...read more.

Middle

"I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure." (Austen, 20). After meeting Edward, she starts to fall in love with him due to his good qualities and the similarities between them. Edward treats her like a human being and not as an object because the way he thinks is just like her; he sacrifices his fortune to get Elinor back and gives her rights just like him. In contrast, have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pureMarianne's first love Willoughby is a user, he had played around with Marianne`s emotions and treats her like a object then leaves her for his own benefit. "To avoid a comparative poverty, which her affection and her ... society would have deprived of all its horrors, I have, by raising myself to affluence, lost everything that could make it a blessing." (Austen.310). Marianne loves Willoughby with all her heart but in return Willoughby ended up deceiving her for his own benefit. He states that he did make a mistake, and he will never be happy now since he has sold his soul for fortune to Miss. ...read more.

Conclusion

"O thou dull Moor! That handkerchief thou speak'st of, I found by fortune and did give my husband. For often, with a solemn earnestness-More than indeed belonged to such a trifle-He begged of me to steal it." (V.II.238-243). Upon finding out that Iago accuses Desdemona of cheating on Othello, she is shocked! Emilia tells Othello that she was the one who steals the handkerchief and had gave it to Iago since Iago told her many times to steal it but she was unaware of why he wants it. She is also quite an honorable person, because she disregards the consequences, and confronts Othello about murdering Desdemona. Then, when she found out it was her own husband who causes it, she revealed that she also, played a part by stealing the handkerchief. If Emilia had not stolen the handkerchief, it would have been hard for Iago to convince Othello that his wife, Desdemona, was cheating on him. To conclude, the two texts, Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen and Othello, by William Shakespeare both put the women in both texts in roles which required them to act a certain way due to society's norms and be dependent on men. The women showed these traits by acting depending on their class, and the way they are treated by men in their lives, thereby the actions of the women shape the plot in both the two texts. The way the women act around other people mostly depends on the society`s norms and act depending on their class. Also, women were dependant on men for everything since women did not have the option to work so they could not financially secure themselves. Today's society is different from the society that is portrayed in the two books. Women and men both have equal rights now in which women have the option to work and have any occupation they want. I think this is a great improvement because it enhances the equality between men and women, which allows them to incorporate a bond between them. ?? ?? ?? ?? Comparative Essay 1 ...read more.

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